A grass-roots group of Long Island Catholics has withdrawn an offer to help the Diocese of Rockville Centre raise money because Bishop William Murphy has rejected their demand that the church open its books to parishioners.

“It’s sad,” said Kevin Connors, of Long Island Voice of the Faithful, which opposes the use of church funds nationwide to pay for confidential settlements of alleged sex abuse by priests.

The group claims more than 1,000 members in Long Island’s 134 parishes.

The church response came in the form of a letter from Vicar General Monsignor Robert Brennan, who urged LIVF members to “cooperate” with their parishes in raising money for the annual $15 million Bishop’s Appeal.

“I’m very disappointed. I think the letter was non-responsive,” said Connors.

The letter ignored a plea to Murphy to meet with the group to discuss financial disclosure and assisting with the annual Bishop’s Appeal fund-raiser.

“The Financial Council is made up of people whose names we don’t even know and he [Murphy] appointed them,” said Connors.